Announcement
Bishop Fabre announces pastoral appointments In order to provide pastoral care for the people of God of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Bishop Shelton J. Fabre, in consultation with the priests’ personnel board, has announced the following pastoral appointments, effective Jan. 15, 2021: The Rev. Daniel Duplantis, who has been serving as associate pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Church parish in Thibodaux since July 2019, has been appointed as associate pastor of the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma. Father Duplantis, a native of Bayou Blue, was ordained June 6, 2020. The Rev. Brett Lapeyrouse, who has been serving as associate pastor of St. Genevieve Church parish in Thibodaux since July 2019, has been appointed as associate pastor of Holy Cross Church parish in Morgan City. Father Lapeyrouse, a native of Chauvin/Bourg, was ordained June 1, 2019. The Rev. Joseph Tregre, who has been serving as pastor of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church parish in Houma since July 2019, has been appointed as associate pastor of St. Genevieve Church parish in Thibodaux. Father Tregre, a native of Houma, was ordained May 26, 2012. The Rev. Billy Velasco, who has been serving as associate pastor of the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma since July 2019, has been appointed as administrator of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church
Rev. Daniel Duplantis
Rev. Brett Lapeyrouse
Rev. Joseph Tregre
Rev. Billy Velasco
Rev. Patrick Riviere
Very Rev. Mark Toups, V.G.
parish in Houma. Father Velasco, a native of Quezon, Philippines, was ordained May 6, 1987. In addition, on the 40th Anniversary of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Bishop Fabre promulgated Plans of Hope, a strategic plan designed for the renewal of parish life. An intricate piece of the strategic plan calls for the ongoing renewal of the priesthood, therefore Bishop Fabre also announced his desire for intentional support to priests. To that end, he appointed the Rev. Patrick Riviere as director of the diocesan Office of the Priesthood. Father Riviere has been serving as liaison and priest specialist for the diocesan Office of Parish Support and associate pastor of Holy Cross Church parish. Father Riviere will continue his role in the Office of Parish Support, as well as serve as director of the Office of
28 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • February 2021
the Priesthood, on a full-time basis. He will live at St. Thomas Aquinas Church parish and assist with their weekend Masses. Father Riviere, a native of Thibodaux, was ordained June 1, 2019. In addition, the Very Rev. Mark Toups, V.G., has been serving as pastor of Our Lady of the Isle Church parish in Grand Isle so that he might have more time dedicated to the renewal of the priesthood. Bishop Fabre announced that he has approved Father Toups for six months of sabbatical and further study with regards to the ongoing formation for priests, during the year of 2021. He will remain vicar general and pastor of Our Lady of the Isle Church parish. Father Toups, a native of Houma, was ordained May 26, 2001. Due to the uncertainties of COVID-19 restrictions, the exact dates of Father Toups’ six months of sabbatical will be determined at a later date. BC
